Tooth root tip extractor and method

Abstract

An extraction device and method for extracting some or all of a tooth from a patient, such as the root of the tooth, are disclosed. One embodiment of the device includes an extraction burr having helical structure with a positive slope transition portion, and in that manner is distinguishable from a common screw. The helical structure may be configured and shaped such that there is little frictional force placed on the burr as it enters into a tooth. Once the burr enters the tooth the configuration and shape of the burr may provide for increased friction between the tooth structure and the burr, thereby causing the burr to grip the tooth structure and maintain the burr as he tooth is extracted. The extraction burr may include a partial-spiral flute or groove formed in a tip thereof. A lockable and releasable hand piece for attaching to the extraction burr provides leverage to the user for dislodging the tooth root, and is adjustable in at least three different indexable positions in its attachment position with respect to the extraction burr.

1 . A device for extracting at least a portion of a tooth comprising:
 a burr comprising a helical structure;   wherein said helical structure further comprises a first surface having a positive slope transition portion in the profile thereof;   a second surface forming a cutting edge with said first surface such that said first surface, said second surface and said cutting edge are configured to reduce friction between said burr and the tooth portion as said burr is inserted into the tooth portion and to increase friction between said burr and the tooth portion as said burr is manipulated to extract the tooth portion.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of helix structures. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of helix structures are parallel at corresponding points along their lengths. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said first surface of said helical structure comprises a positive slope transition such that said first surface comprises a first line segment and a second line segment wherein said first line segment is at an angle from said second line segment. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said first surface of said helical structure comprises a positive slope transition such that said first surface comprises a line segment and a positively curved line segment. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said first surface of said helical structure comprises a positive slope transition such that said first surface comprises a positively curved line segment. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said helical structure comprises a plurality of revolutions. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein at least one of said plurality of revolutions has a diameter of revolution different than the other revolutions. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein at least one of said plurality of revolutions transitions from a larger diameter of revolution to a smaller diameter of revolution. 
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a neck portion. 
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein said neck portion has the same diameter as a diameter of a revolution of the helical structure. 
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein said neck portion has a larger diameter than a diameter of a revolution of the helical structure. 
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a neck portion and a body portion. 
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the body portion comprises a length, the neck portion comprises a length and the helical structure comprises a length, wherein the sum of lengths of said neck portion and said helical structure is shorter than the length of said body portion. 
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the body portion comprises a length, the neck portion comprises a length and the helical structure comprises a length, wherein the sum of lengths of said neck portion and said helical structure is longer than said body portion. 
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the body portion comprises a diameter and the neck portion comprises a diameter, wherein the diameter of said neck portion is less than the diameter of said body portion. 
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a body portion. 
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein said body portion comprises an attachment structure for attaching to an additional component. 
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein said body portion comprises a structure for inducing or preventing the rotation of the burr. 
   
   
       20 . A device for extracting at least a portion of a tooth from a patient's jaw bone, including:
 a burr comprising a body, a neck extending from the body, and a helical structure extending from the neck;   wherein the neck and the helical structure define a first length;   wherein the burr comprises a second length that is equal to the sum of first length and a length of the entirety of the body; and   wherein the burr comprises a ratio of the second length to the first length that is between about 1.5:1 to about 2.25:1.   
   
   
       21 . The device of  claim 20  further comprising a plurality of helical structures. 
   
   
       22 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of helical structures are parallel at corresponding points along their lengths. 
   
   
       23 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein a first surface of said helical structure comprises a positive slope transition, such that said first surface comprises a first line segment and a second line segment, wherein said first line segment is at an angle from said second line segment. 
   
   
       24 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein a first surface of said helical structure comprises a positive slope transition, such that said first surface comprises a line segment and a positively curved line segment. 
   
   
       25 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein a first surface of said helical structure comprises a positive slope transition, such that said first surface comprises a positively curved line segment. 
   
   
       26 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein said helical structure comprises a plurality of revolutions. 
   
   
       27 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein at least one of said plurality of revolutions has a diameter of revolution different than the other revolutions. 
   
   
       28 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein at least one of said plurality of revolutions transitions from a larger diameter of revolution to a smaller diameter of revolution. 
   
   
       29 . A device for extracting at least a portion of a tooth from a patient's jaw bone, including:
 a burr comprising:
 a body having a first diameter; 
 a neck having a second diameter; 
 a helical structure; 
 wherein said helical structure has a third diameter for at least a portion thereof; and 
 wherein the second diameter and the third diameter are substantially equal. 
   
   
   
       30 . The device of  claim 29  further comprising a plurality of helix structures. 
   
   
       31 . The device of  claim 30 , wherein the plurality of helix structures are parallel at corresponding points along their lengths. 
   
   
       32 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein a first surface of said helical structure comprises a positive slope transition, such that said first surface comprises a first line segment and a second line segment wherein said first line segment is at an angle from said second line segment. 
   
   
       33 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein a first surface of said helical structure comprises a positive slope transition, such that said first surface comprises a line segment and a positively curved line segment. 
   
   
       34 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein a first surface of said helical structure comprises a positive slope transition, such that said first surface comprises a positively curved line segment. 
   
   
       35 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein said helical structure comprises a plurality of revolutions. 
   
   
       36 . The device of  claim 35 , wherein at least one of said plurality of revolutions has a diameter of revolution different than the other revolutions. 
   
   
       37 . The device of  claim 35 , wherein at least one of said plurality of revolutions transitions from a larger diameter of revolution to a smaller diameter of revolution. 
   
   
       38 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein the burr comprises a ratio of the first diameter to the third diameter that is between about 1.25:1 to about 1.75:1. 
   
   
       39 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein the ratio of the first diameter to the third diameter is about 1.5:1 to about 1.6:1. 
   
   
       40 . A device for extracting at least a portion of a tooth from a patient's jaw bone, including:
 a burr comprising a body having a first diameter, a neck having a second diameter, and a helical structure having at least a portion thereof having a third diameter;   wherein the burr comprises a ratio between the first diameter, second diameter and the third diameter that is about 1.25:1:1 to about 1.75:1:1.   
   
   
       41 . The device of  claim 40  further comprising a plurality of helix structures. 
   
   
       42 . The device of  claim 41 , wherein the plurality of helix structures are parallel at corresponding points along their lengths. 
   
   
       43 . The device of  claim 40 , wherein a first surface of said helical structure comprises a positive slope transition, such that said first surface comprises a first line segment and a second line segment wherein said first line segment is at an angle from said second line segment. 
   
   
       44 . The device of  claim 40 , wherein a first surface of said helical structure comprises a positive slope transition, such that said first surface comprises a line segment and a positively curved line segment. 
   
   
       45 . The device of  claim 40 , wherein a first surface of said helical structure comprises a positive slope transition such that said first surface comprises a positively curved line segment. 
   
   
       46 . The device of  claim 40 , wherein said helical structure comprises a plurality of revolutions. 
   
   
       47 . The device of  claim 46 , wherein at least one of said plurality of revolutions has a diameter of revolution different than the other revolutions. 
   
   
       48 . The device of  claim 46 , wherein at least one of said plurality of revolutions transitions from a larger diameter of revolution to a smaller diameter of revolution. 
   
   
       49 . A device for extracting at least a portion of a tooth from a patient's jaw bone, including:
 a burr comprising a body, a neck, and a helical structure;   wherein the helical structure comprises a diameter for a portion thereof;   wherein the burr comprises a ratio between its length and the diameter of said helical structure that is between about 2.5:1 to about 6:1.   
   
   
       50 . The device of  claim 49  further comprising a plurality of helix structures. 
   
   
       51 . The device of  claim 50 , wherein the plurality of helix structures are parallel at corresponding points along their lengths. 
   
   
       52 . The device of  claim 49 , wherein a first surface of said helical structure comprises a positive slope transition, such that said first surface comprises a first line segment and a second line segment wherein said first line segment is at an angle from said second line segment. 
   
   
       53 . The device of  claim 49 , wherein a first surface of said helical structure comprises a positive slope transition, such that said first surface comprises a line segment and a positively curved line segment. 
   
   
       54 . The device of  claim 49 , wherein a first surface of said helical structure comprises a positive slope transition, such that said first surface comprises a positively curved line segment. 
   
   
       55 . The device of  claim 49 , wherein said helical structure comprises a plurality of revolutions. 
   
   
       56 . The device of  claim 55 , wherein at least one of said plurality of revolutions has a diameter of revolution different than the other revolutions. 
   
   
       57 . The device of  claim 55 , wherein at least one of said plurality of revolutions transitions from a larger diameter of revolution to a smaller diameter of revolution. 
   
   
       58 . A device for extracting at least a portion of a tooth from a patient's jaw bone, including:
 a burr configured for insertion into and for gripping a tooth structure;   a handle comprising:
 a body; 
 a head portion; and 
 an indexing mechanism; 
 wherein the head portion comprises a first indexing structure configured to correspond to a second indexing structure of said body, thereby indexing rotation of the head portion relative to said handle portion; 
 wherein the head portion comprises a burr locking mechanism that is configured for releasably attaching the burr to the handle; 
 wherein the burr locking mechanism comprises an opening for releasably receiving a portion of said burr therein; 
 wherein the indexing mechanism indexes said head portion into a plurality of distinct positions relative to the handle, such that the handle is usable in at least three indexed positions for extracting a tooth structure located in one of the following areas of a patient's mouth: (1) the posterior portion of the upper jaw; (2) the anterior portion of the upper jaw; (3) the posterior portion of the lower jaw; and (4) the anterior portion of the lower jaw. 
   
   
   
       59 . The device of  claim 58 , wherein the first indexing structure is one of a male portion and a female portion and the second indexing structure is the opposite one of the male portion and the female portion. 
   
   
       60 . The device of  claim 58 , wherein indexed positions are radially equally placed. 
   
   
       61 . The device of  claim 58 , wherein indexed positions are radially asymmetrically placed. 
   
   
       62 . The device of  claim 58  further comprising a plurality of helix structures. 
   
   
       63 . The device of  claim 62 , wherein the plurality of helix structures are parallel at corresponding points along their lengths. 
   
   
       64 . A system for extracting at least a portion of a tooth from a patient's jaw bone, including:
 a plurality of burrs configured in differing sizes, wherein each burr comprises a helical structure;   wherein said helical structure of each of said burrs comprises a surface that is concave and a cutting edge, such that the surface and the cutting edge are configured and shaped to reduce friction between said burr and the tooth as said burr is inserted into the tooth and to increase friction between said burr and said tooth when said burr is manipulated to extract the tooth; and   a handle that is releasably attachable to said burr for manipulating said burr during extraction of the tooth.   
   
   
       65 . The system of  claim 64  further comprising a plurality of helix structures. 
   
   
       66 . The system of  claim 64 , wherein the plurality of helix structures are parallel at corresponding points along their lengths. 
   
   
       67 . The system of  claim 64 , wherein said helical structure comprises a plurality of revolutions. 
   
   
       68 . The system of  claim 67 , wherein at least one of said plurality of revolutions has a diameter of revolution different than the other revolutions. 
   
   
       69 . The system of  claim 67 , wherein at least one of said plurality of revolutions transitions from a larger diameter of revolution to a smaller diameter of revolution. 
   
   
       70 . A system for extracting at least a portion of a tooth from a patient's jaw bone, including:
 a burr comprising a helical structure;   wherein said helical structure of said burr comprises a surface that is concave and a cutting edge, such that the surface and the cutting edge are configured and shaped to reduce friction between said burr and the tooth as said burr is inserted into the tooth and to increase friction between said burr and said tooth when said burr is manipulated to extract the tooth;   a drilling device that is releasably attachable to said burr for inserting the burr into a tooth structure; and   a handle that is releasably attachable to said burr for manipulating said burr during extraction of the tooth.   
   
   
       71 . The system of  claim 70  further comprising a plurality of burrs having different configurations. 
   
   
       72 . A method of extracting at least a portion of a tooth from a patient's jaw bone, including:
 securing a burr to a tooth structure, wherein the burr comprises a helical structure;   wherein said helical structure of said burr comprises a surface that is concave and a cutting edge, such that the surface and the cutting edge are configured and shaped to reduce friction between said burr and the tooth structure as said burr is inserted into the tooth structure and to increase friction between said burr and said tooth structure when said burr is manipulated to extract the tooth structure;   attaching the burr to a handle;   manipulating the burr using said handle to extract the tooth structure from the jaw bone of the patient.   
   
   
       73 . A device for extracting at least a portion of a tooth comprising:
 a burr comprising:
 a helical structure;
 wherein said helical structure further comprises a first surface having a positive slope transition portion in the profile thereof; 
 a second surface forming a cutting edge with said first surface such that said first surface, said second surface and said cutting edge are configured to reduce friction between said burr and tooth portion as said burr is inserted into the tooth portion and to increase friction between said burr and said tooth portion as said burr is manipulated to extract the tooth portion; 
 wherein said helical structure comprises a plurality of revolutions; 
 wherein at least one of said plurality of revolutions has a diameter of revolution different than the other revolutions; 
 wherein at least one of said plurality of revolutions transitions from a larger diameter of revolution to a smaller diameter of revolution; 
 
 a neck portion;
 wherein said neck portion has the same diameter as a diameter of a revolution of the helical structure; and 
 
 a body portion; 
 wherein the body portion comprises an attachment structure for attaching the burr to an additional component; 
 wherein the body portion comprises a structure for inducing or preventing the rotation of the burr. 
   
   
   
       74 . The device of  claim 73 , wherein the device further comprises a handle, wherein the handle comprises:
 a handle body portion;   a head portion; and   an indexing mechanism;   wherein the head portion comprises a first indexing structure configured to correspond to a second indexing structure of said handle body portion, thereby indexing rotation of the head portion relative to said handle;
 wherein the head portion comprises a burr locking mechanism that is configured for releasably attaching the burr to the handle; 
 wherein the burr locking mechanism comprises an opening for releasably receiving a portion of said burr therein; 
 wherein the indexing mechanism indexes said head portion into a plurality of distinct positions relative to the handle, such that the handle is usable in at least three indexed positions for extracting a tooth structure located in one of the following areas of a patient's mouth: (1) the posterior portion of the upper jaw; (2) the anterior portion of the upper jaw; (3) the posterior portion of the lower jaw; and (4) the anterior portion of the lower jaw; 
 wherein indexed positions are radially equally placed; 
   wherein said neck portion of said burr has a larger diameter than a diameter of at least one revolution of the helical structure;   wherein said neck portion and said helical structure of said burr define a first length;   wherein the burr comprises a second length that is equal to the sum of first length and a length of the entirety of the body; and   wherein the burr comprises a ratio of the second length to the first length that is between about 1.5:1 to about 2.25:1;   wherein the diameter of the neck portion and the diameter of at least a portion of the helical structure of the burr are substantially equal;   wherein the burr comprises a ratio between the diameter of the body portion to the diameter of the neck portion to the diameter of the helical structure that is about 1.25:1:1 to about 1.75:1:1; and   wherein the burr comprises a ratio between its overall length and the diameter of said helical structure that is between about 2.5:1 to about 6:1.   
   
   
       75 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the positive slope transition of the first surface of the helical structure extends the entire length of said first surface. 
   
   
       76 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the positive slope transition of the first surface of the helical structure extends less than 50% of the entire length of said first surface. 
   
   
       77 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the positive slope transition of the first surface of the helical structure extends over 50% of the entire length, but less than the entire length, of said first surface.